Classics

The department offers a full range of Classics courses covering many aspects of classical culture and delivering skills which are valuable across the whole curriculum; for example, the close and accurate reading of texts, independent thinking about social and political issues and the writing of structured arguments based on evidence. It is one of the few in Scotland able to offer Latin, Classical Studies and Classical Greek.

Because we recognise the valuable contribution which Classics makes to the general education of every pupil, S1 and S2 courses are compulsory. The S1 course seeks to consolidate pupils' knowledge and understanding of the various elements of language, such as parts of speech and structure of sentences. The study of Latin begins in S2. Both of these courses make extensive use of ICT, and our departmental site contains revision work, as well as quizzes and tests.

In S3, pupils may study Standard Grade Latin, which they can continue to Higher level in S5 and to Advanced Higher in S6. Higher classes attend special seminars held by the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow. Classical Studies is available from S3 as an Intermediate 2 course and is also offered as a one-year Higher course in S5 and S6. Classical Greek is not yet available in S3 but is taught in S5 and S6 using the National Units or Intermediate 2 and Higher.